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Category: Staff Announcements

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Congratulations to Jan Marhefka, MSN, RN, Lindner Center of Hope Chief Nursing Officer, on her nomination for Ohio Hospital Association’s 2025 Health Care Worker of the Year Award. Each year, OHA presents this prestigious award to one Ohio hospital caregiver who represents the excellence of health care workers statewide. Jan was nominated for demonstrating the qualities and characteristics worthy of honor and distinction.

Jan will be honored with the other nominees at OHA’s annual recognition dinner event, where finalists and an overall honoree will be announced. The dinner is Tuesday, May 20 in Columbus, Ohio.

 

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January 16, 2025 – Mason, Ohio – Tracy Suzanne Cummings, MD, and Danielle J. Johnson, MD, MHA, FAPA, leaders at Lindner Center of Hope, were named among Cincinnati Magazine’s 2025 Top Doctors. They were selected by peers in a survey asking which physicians they would turn to for care. These esteemed physicians made the list of 939 in 72 specialties.

Dr. Cummings, Chief of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Medical Director of Adolescent PHP/IOP at Lindner Center of Hope was named among six pediatric psychiatrists on the list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Johnson, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Women’s Mental Health at Lindner Center of Hope was named among seven psychiatrists.

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January 9, 2025 – Mason, Ohio – S. Craig Lindner, Chairman of the Board and Founder of Lindner Center of Hope, has named Michael Groat, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Lindner Center of Hope in Mason, Ohio, effective January 1, 2025.

“The Board and I are confident that Dr. Groat will continue to lead the Center with excellence, with a strong focus on growth and the future. We look forward to entering this exciting new chapter with Dr. Groat at the helm,” said Mr. Lindner.

Dr. Groat shared his enthusiasm for the Center, “The Lindner Center of Hope is a special place. The staff bring warmth, compassion, and empathy to people facing complex mental health conditions, and blend this humanity with scientific expertise. I am thrilled to lead the Center’s team into a new era of growth and expansion that will broaden our reach.”

Dr. Groat joined the Center 13 months ago, in the role of Chief Clinical Officer, serving the last four months as interim CEO. He has a 16-year career in leadership in nationally renowned hospital, residential, and outpatient treatment programs, providing evidence-based mental health and addiction services for children and adults.

As President and CEO, Dr. Groat assumes leadership of all strategic and operational activities for the Center. Dr. Groat’s blend of leadership depth, clinical acumen, growth mindset, and his talent for creative and complex problem-solving will engage staff, improve patient experience, and drive organizational excellence. He has a proven record of successful partnerships with referrers, families, academicians, and behavioral healthcare organizations and will help build partnerships and grow capacity.

He is the former CEO of CooperRiis, a 95-bed residential program located in Asheville, North Carolina, and was Chief Clinical Officer of Silver Hill Hospital, a 129-bed hospital with seven residential programs, three inpatient units, and an outpatient clinic. He also previously served as the Director of Adult Services at the Menninger Clinic, overseeing its flagship professionals and executives’ program, subacute program, and outpatient clinic. Dr. Groat helped launch successful programs, including the framework for a grateful patient donor program at the Menninger Clinic, an aftercare support service at Silver Hill Hospital, expansion of CooperRiis’ community integration program, and an assessment service at Silver Hill Hospital. He has consistently driven increased patient satisfaction and high staff morale and helped launch successful patient outcomes.

Dr. Groat completed a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in the treatment of treatment-refractory personality disorders and other mental disorders at the Austen Riggs Center. He is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He was previously the Chief Clinical Officer and Director of Psychology and Assessment at the Silver Hill Hospital, where he was also Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. While at Menninger, Dr. Groat was associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Groat has lectured widely on topics related to psychotherapeutic treatments, acute and intermediate levels of care, suicide prevention, personality assessment and recovery.

Lindner Center of Hope is currently in a $30 million campaign to support the expansion of treatment spaces and grow their endowment for recruiting and retaining the best clinicians. The Center expects to begin sitework for the expansion in the spring.

Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason, Ohio is a comprehensive mental health center providing exceptional mental health services and improving the health of our community.  We achieve this through expertise, innovation, research, education, advocacy, and putting people first. We start by meeting individuals wherever they are on their journey and relentlessly pursue excellence in all we do.

 Lindner Center of Hope offers patient-centered, scientifically advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization, residential services, and substance use disorders treatment for adults, outpatient services for all ages, and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnerships with the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center as their clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Patients and families who may benefit from Lindner Center services may call (513) 536-HOPE (4673) for an initial assessment. Learn more at LindnerCenterofHope.org.

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Lindner Center of Hope Chief Medical Officer Elected as Distinguished Fellow of the APA

Danielle Johnson, MD, FAPA, Chief Medical Officer, Lindner Center of Hope, was recently elected as a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association by the APA Board of Trustees. This is an elite group of psychiatrists who have made exceptional contributions to the field of psychiatry and to their communities.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                               

CONTACT:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Jennifer Pierson
Lindner Center of HOPE
(513) 536-0316

                                                                                    jennifer.pierson@lindnercenter.org

Effective September 1, 2024, Michael Groat, PhD, who has been serving in the role of Chief Clinical Officer at Lindner Center of Hope, accepted the position of Interim CEO. He will also maintain the role of Chief Clinical Officer.

Dr. Paul Crosby, President and CEO, made the decision to transition to President, with efforts focused on clinical duties and patient care.

In his new role, Dr. Groat has strategic oversight of the day-to-day operations of the Center and remains responsible for the therapeutic program development of inpatient and residential services at Lindner Center of Hope.

He has supervisory authority over the clinical activity and continuum of care in residential services. He is also responsible for the development, measurement, analysis, and communication of outcomes that inform the culture of empathy, excellence, and continuous improvement at the Center. Additionally, Dr. Groat engages in strategic marketing activities across the United States.

Lindner Center of Hope’s Board of Directors has determined not to initiate an immediate national search, but believe the best course is to maintain the continuity of the executive leadership team of the Center, including Dr. Groat. The Board will review this decision in the coming months.

Dr. Groat has a 16-year career of leadership in nationally ranked hospital, residential, and outpatient treatment programs that provide evidence-based mental health and addiction services for adolescents and adults. He is the former CEO of CooperRiis, a 95-bed residential program located in Asheville, North Carolina, and was Chief Clinical Officer of Silver Hill Hospital, a 129-bed hospital with

seven residential programs, three inpatient units, and an outpatient clinic. He also previously served as Director of Adult Services at the Menninger Clinic, overseeing its flagship professionals and executives’ program, subacute program, and outpatient clinic. Dr. Groat has launched successful programs, including the framework for a grateful patient donor program at the Menninger Clinic, an aftercare support service at Silver Hill Hospital, expansion of CooperRiis’ community integration program, and an assessment service at Silver Hill Hospital. He has consistently driven increased patient satisfaction and high staff morale and helped launch successful patient outcomes.

Dr. Groat completed a four-year postdoctoral fellowship in the treatment of treatment refractory personality disorders and other mental disorders at the Austen Riggs Center. He is Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. He was previously the Chief Clinical Officer and Director of Psychology and Assessment at the Silver Hill Hospital, where he was also Associate Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the Yale School of Medicine. While at Menninger, Dr. Groat was associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Groat has lectured widely on topics related to psychotherapeutic treatments, acute and intermediate levels of care, suicide prevention, personality assessment and recovery.

 About the Lindner Center of HOPE

Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing patient-centered, scientifically advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of

Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization, residential services, and substance use disorders treatment for adults, outpatient services for all ages, and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnerships with UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center as their clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Patients and families who may benefit from Lindner Center services may call (513) 536-HOPE (4673) for an initial assessment. Learn more at LindnerCenterofHope.org.

 

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Lindner Center of HOPE Welcomes

Heather A. Dlugosz, MD, FAPA, CEDS

Medical Director, Lindner Center of HOPE Harold C. Schott Eating Disorders Program

Lindner Center of HOPE is pleased to announce that Heather Dlugosz has joined the Center in the role of Medical Director for the Harold C. Schott Eating Disorders Program. Dr. Dlugosz is an adult, child and adolescent psychiatrist specializing in the treatment of patients with eating disorders and their psychiatric co-morbidities including mood and anxiety disorders.

Dr. Dlugosz received her bachelor’s degree from Albion College.  She earned her M.D. from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, completed her adult psychiatric residency at University Hospital in Cincinnati, now the University of Cincinnati Medical Center and her child and adolescent psychiatry fellowship at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center where she served as Chief Resident. She is board certified in Adult and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and is a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS).

Dr. Dlugosz returns to Lindner Center of HOPE after previously working as a staff psychiatrist and then associate medical director at Eating Recovery Center in Cincinnati, OH and as a contract psychiatrist at VERY-Virtual Eating Recovery for You which provides virtual comprehensive services for patients with eating disorders. She currently holds an academic position as Associate Professor of Clinical-GEO at University of Cincinnati College of Medicine in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience where she helps to educate medical students and resident physicians in the treatment of eating disorders.

Dr. Dlugosz embraces a collaborative approach to the assessment and treatment of patients and her broad experience in a variety of settings is a solid foundation for providing the highest quality and compassionate care to patients at all levels of care.

The Center is excited about Dr. Dlugosz’s return and the leadership and expertise she will provide to the eating disorders treatment services.

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Brett Dowdy, PsyDLaurie Little, PsyD

Mason, OH, April 28, 2023 – Lindner Center of HOPE has named Brett Dowdy, PsyD, Chief of Psychological Services, to the role of Clinical Director of Outpatient Services and Laurie Little, PsyD, staff psychologist, to the role of Chief Patient Experience Officer.

Dowdy stepped down from the role of Chief Patient Experience Officer, a role he helped define and develop, to take on the responsibilities of leading and directing outpatient services for Lindner Center of HOPE Professional Associates.

Little has been intimately involved in the development and implementation of the patient experience initiative.  Her new role will enable her to continue culture change efforts at Lindner Center of HOPE while leading a deeper dive into the Center’s values of Empathy and Excellence.

Both take on the new responsibilities with deep and wide experience.

Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing excellent, patient-centered, scientifically-advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, diagnostic and short-term residential services for adults and adolescents, outpatient services and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnership with UC Health as its clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Together Lindner Center of HOPE and UC Health offer a true system of mental health care in the Greater Cincinnati area and across the country. The Center is also affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.

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Jan Marhefka, MSN, RN at LCOH

Mason, OH, March 21, 2023 – Lindner Center of HOPE has named Jan Marhefka, MSN, RN, to the position of Chief Nursing Officer. Marhefka has been serving as Associate Chief Nursing Officer since November 2021.

As Chief Nursing Officer at the Lindner Center of HOPE, Marhefka has oversight of the Access Referral Center, the Welcome Center, Neuromodulation Center, social work, spiritual care, recreation therapy, House Supervisors, Utilization Review, Educators, Staffing Coordinator and direct oversight of both adult inpatient units.

Prior to joining the Lindner Center of HOPE, she worked in an acute medical hospital and served as Director of Nursing with oversight of the inpatient psychiatric unit, outpatient partial hospitalization program, ICU, Emergency Department and progressive care unit.  Marhefka has been in management for 24 years and an RN for 31 years.   She also teaches as an ad hoc professor for Miami University’s nursing program. Marhefka was named Employee of the Year at Lindner Center of HOPE in 2020.

Marhefka joined the Center in 2015 initially serving in the Manager of Quality and Compliance role.  In 2018, she accepted the Manager of Inpatient Units and was promoted to Director of Nursing in 2019.

Marilyn Schwemberger, MBA, MSN, RN, retired from the role of Chief Nursing Officer at Lindner Center of HOPE earlier this month.

Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing excellent, patient-centered, scientifically-advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, diagnostic and short-term residential services for adults and adolescents, outpatient services and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnership with UC Health as its clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Together Lindner Center of HOPE and UC Health offer a true system of mental health care in the Greater Cincinnati area and across the country. The Center is also affiliated with the University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Medicine.

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Lindner Center of HOPE has a Professional Development Staff Reward Program to recognize those employees (within patient care units, the Access and Referral Center, Partial Hospitalization Program and/or Neuromodulation Center) who exhibit performance and behaviors that meet and exceed criteria established for staff development. Criteria for the acknowledgement falls within the four categories of:  customer service, professional development, creativity and innovation, and teamwork. Points are awarded for criteria met within each of the categories. Based on the number of points accumulated by an employee, there are four tiers for designation. Tier IV is the highest level of designation. Rewards are given based on tier designation.

Recently, Nikki Giesel-MHS received Tier IV designation.

Amy Luncan-RN received Tier III designation.

Congratulations to these employees on their achievement.

Nikki Giesel-MHS
Amy-RN

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Danielle Johnson, MD, FAPA Acknowledged in Psychiatry Category

 

MASON, Ohio – Lindner Center of HOPE, a leading provider of mental health care, is pleased to announce that Danielle J. Johnson, MD, FAPA, Chief Medical Officer, Lindner Center of HOPE, was named among Top Doctors 2021 as published in Cincinnati Magazine. She was selected by peers in a survey asking them which physicians they would turn to for care. The survey was conducted by Professional Research Services Company of Troy, Michigan.

Dr. Johnson was one of only 12 physicians named in the psychiatry category.

Dr. Johnson completed her General Psychiatry Residency and Psychiatric Emergency Services Chief Residency with University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and University Hospital in Cincinnati. Dr. Johnson’s interests include treatment of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, psychotic disorders, and ADHD in the inpatient and outpatient settings.

She contributed to the development of the Women’s Mental Health Program at Lindner Center of HOPE. Dr. Johnson has completed training in the assessment and treatment of postpartum mental illnesses. She is a board member of the International Society of Reproductive Psychiatry and a member of the Ohio Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Committee.

About the Lindner Center of HOPE

Lindner Center of HOPE in Mason is a comprehensive mental health center providing patient-centered, scientifically advanced care for individuals suffering with mental illness. A state-of-the-science, mental health center and charter member of the National Network of Depression Centers, the Center provides psychiatric hospitalization and partial hospitalization for individuals age 12-years-old and older, outpatient services for all ages, diagnostic and short-term residential services for adults and research. The Center is enhanced by its partnerships with UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center as their clinicians are ranked among the best providers locally, nationally and internationally. Learn more at https://lindnercenterofhope.org/.